The CARING NATURE project was featured at a two-day expert workshop organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) in Brussels on 3–4 December 2025, focused on the future of climate and health research in the evolving EU policy landscape.

Entitled “The way forward for climate and health research in the shifting EU policy landscape”, the in-person workshop brought together around 50 experts from academia, research organisations, healthcare institutions, national and regional authorities, and international NGOs. The objective was to support DG RTD in shaping future priorities for EU-funded research and innovation on climate and health, in alignment with ongoing Commission initiatives and international efforts.

Among the invited experts was Pasquale Mari from Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, participating in his role as Project Manager of the CARING NATURE project. During Session 1, dedicated to challenges and priorities for climate and health evidence, he delivered a presentation titled “Contribution of Healthcare Providers to Climate Neutrality: Perspectives from a Horizon Europe Project”. The presentation showcased the 10 solutions developed within CARING NATURE, highlighting how hospitals and healthcare providers can adopt holistic, cost-effective and operational measures to reduce their environmental footprint.

Pasquale Mari also actively contributed to six of the nine breakout brainstorming sessions, which focused on identifying barriers to implementation, innovation opportunities, and pathways to translate research into policy and practice. The workshop was structured around three thematic sessions covering evidence and priorities, innovation in the competitiveness context, and research for policy impact, each combining expert presentations, Q&A, and parallel group discussions followed by plenary feedback.

In addition, during the exhibition dedicated to showcasing the impact of EU-funded research, CARING NATURE was highlighted through the presentation of the Green Lean Six Sigma for Healthcare (GLSS-HC) methodology, one of the project’s key solutions designed to improve both environmental and operational performance in healthcare settings.

The conclusions of the workshop will be consolidated into a report to be published by the European Commission. This report will inform future EU research and innovation priorities on climate and health, as well as the implementation of climate and health flagships under the Strategy for European Life Sciences.

CARING NATURE’s participation in this high-level policy dialogue reinforces the project’s contribution to advancing sustainable, climate-resilient healthcare systems and ensuring that practical solutions developed through Horizon Europe projects help shape future European policies.